Switch for overhead-trolley tracks



(No Model.)

0. G. SCHMIDT. SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TROLLEYTRAOKS.

Patented Dec. 11, 1894.

PATENT O F E- vCHARLES SOHMIDT, OF CINOINNATLOHIO,

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD-TROLLEY TBA-K8.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letterman No. 530,661, dated December 11, 1894.

Application filed llugust 13, 1894. Serial No 52 Q,1Q8. (No model.)

To all uh/0m, it mayconcerm I Be it known that I, CHARLES Gr. SCHMIDT, a

citizen of the United States,.and a residentot Cincinnati, Hamilton county, State of' Ohio, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Switches for Overhead-Trolley factories, for the purpose of moving sides of beef, or other objects, quickly and conveniently from one place to another. The obj ects so moved arezgenerally supported on hooks depending from rollers or trolleys which move upon the tracks. The latter are supported on brackets which depend from the ceiling. Switches in such track-systems are required to enable the convenient distribution of the objects, the meats for instance, into the different compartments, of the cooling-rooms, the annexes of main-buildngs, &c.

This invention consists of a construction whereby the swinging end of the switch is supported in all its positions, even if not in alignment with the track ends, whereby it is prevented from breaking down in case a loaded trolley should accidentally enter upon it. I

The invention embraces further the provision, construction and manner of supporting, of track-guards, operatively connected to the switch, whereby the open track-end is closed to the passage of trolleys, to prevent them from rolling 01? in case the switch has inadvertently been placed in the wrong position.

Other features are a reversible hanger, the means for locking the switch in position after alignment, and the details of the general construction. j

In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims, is found a full description of my invention, its operation, parts, and construction, the latter being also of the branch-tracks.

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which a v Figure 1, is a perspective View of a switch with parts of the adjoining tracks and showing the difierent features of my invention. Rig. 2, is amend-elevation, partly in section and looking from the switch toward the ends Fig. 3, is a top view of all the parts, obtained by a section on a line which passes between the tracks and the ceiling from which they are suspended. The other position of "the switch is shown in all the views by dotted lines. 7

6, is the end of a main-track and 7, 8 are the. ends of branch tracks, supported by hangers 9, 10, which aresecured to the ceiling.

construction, areprovided at proper inter- Vals to support the tracks through their entire length.

11- is the switch hingedat 12, to the end of,

track 6, and whereby the latter may be connectedwith either oneof tracks 7 or 8.

1 3. is one of the trolleys, being substantially a roller, providedwith a bracket 14 which carries the objects to be transported.

The lower part of the hangers is bent sidewise to bring the support for the track-ends sufficiently inwardly, respectively away from the upper part of the hanger to permit the traveling trolleys to pass. This inwardly bent portion of the hanger on which rest the track-ends, is also extended longitudinally-- that is in line with the track andtoward the switch, which extension forms a bracket 15, on which the swinging switch end rests while in alignment with the track. This extended bracket is also duplicated on the other side of the hanger where it extends in opposite direction-that is, toward the track, whereby a more extended support is obtained for the latter and, whereby, by a simple reversal of their position these hangers may be put-up on either side of the tracks to clear the brackets depending from the trolleys, which travel either all on one,.or the other side of the tracks and whereby such hangers beco'me'available on either kind of trolley-system,requiring no right or left hand hangers, to suit the contingency, of trolley-travel. These brackets are provided with vertical flanges 16, to which the ends of tracks 7' and 8 are rigidly secured This arm is so located as to rest in all positions of the switch on brackets 15, respectively flanges 16 thereof, whereby the switchend is supported, even if not resting on either one of brackets 15. Notches 19 are provided in the lower edge of arm 17, and properly located and distanced thereon, so that one or the two always engage with flanges 16, whereby the switch is held in position on either one of the brackets 15 and its lateral displacement prevented. By reason of this mode of looking, the operation of the switch requires a combined action. First it must be sufficiently lifted to disengage arm 17 from flanges 16,

after which the lateral motion takes place to move the switch in line with either one of the track-ends. slides 011 one of the flanges l6 and it drops down as soon as notches19 reach said flanges, whereby the proper alignment is indicated and obtained. A stop 21 forms also a limit leys from running off in case inadvertently moving thereon, I provide guards 22, and 23, carried by a guide-bar 24, which is supported and moves in slots 25, provided in the upper part of the hangers. The latter therebyform a rigid support for these guards and enable them to more completely withstand the impact of an approaching trolley. The guards are operated by means of an upright 26, carried by arm 17 and entering loosely into guide-bar 24, whereby the latter shares all lateral movements of the switch. The guards are so located on the guide bar that one is always over the open track-end, while the switch is aligned with the other track-end. The opening 27, in guide bar 24, into which upright 26 enters, is preferably elongated vertically, to permit the vertical movement or lifting of theswitch when the same is operated.

As will be observed, arm 17, in its function as a switch-support, in cases where the switch has failed to reach its proper position, is materially aided by its connection to guide-bar 24, through upright 26, whereby all these parts form a well supported fraine, consisting of members 17, 26 and 24, whereby the outer end of arm 17 is held downand more completely enabled to counteract the weight of aloaded trolley in casesuch should have entered upon the otherwise unsupported switch. The lat During this latter motion arm 17 ter may be used without the guards where their use is not required and handle 18 may also be omitted where the switches are sufficiently low to be reached otherwise.

Having described my invention, I claim as new 1. In a switch for overhead trolley-tracks,

the combination of the branch-tracks 7, 8,

the hangers supportingthem,-provided with brackets 15, and flanges 16, the switch 11 hinged to the main-track in a manner to permit a limited vertical movement in addition to its lateralswing, and an arm 17 rigidly secured tothe switch, said arm provided with notches 19 in its lower edge and so located as' to be in all positions above flanges 16, to enablenotches 19,.which are properly located, to engage with them forthe purpose of looking the switch in position.

2. In a switch for overhead trolley-tracks, the combination of the switch 11, hinged to the main-track, the branch-tracks 7 and 8, the hangers supporting them, each provided witha support for the free swinging end of the switch to rest on whenin alignment with either track, a guide-bar .24, guided andsupported by and on these hangers, whichsupport the switchand track-ends, guards 22, and 23, carried by the guide-bar and an operative connection between this latter and the switch.

3. Ina switch for overhead trolley.tracks, the combination of the branch-tracks, 7, 8, the hangers supporting them, the switch 11 hinged to themain track,arm l7 rigidly scoured to the switch, guards 22 and 23, to

close the open track-ends, a guide-bar 24,

hinged to the main-track in a manner topermit a limited verticalmovement inaddition .to its lateral swing, guards 22and 23, to close the open-trackends a guide-bar 24, guided by and on the hangers and carrying the guards, an arm 17 rigidly secured to the switch, and provided with notches 19 in its lower edge and so located as to be in'alLpositions above flanges 16, .toenable notches 19 to engage with said flanges for the purpose of locking the switch, as .well asthe guards in position, an operativeconnectionbetween arm 17 and the guide-bar whereby the latter is caused to move with the switchand a handle to operate the latter from below.

5. In a switch for overhead trolley-tracks, the combination of the branch-tracks 7, .8, the hangers supporting them, provided with brackets 15,the switch .llhinged to themaintrack, arm 17 rigidly secured to the switch and so located thereon as to be in all posiport the switch-end in all its positions and during its operation, a handle 18 on arm 17 for the purpose of operating the switch-from below, the guide-bar 24 moving in slots in the upper part of the hangers, and upright 26 which connects the guide bar to arm 17, whereby these three members form a frame 24, 26 and 17, to aid arm- 17 in its function as a support for the switch in case the latter has missed its proper position. I

6. A hanger for overhead trolley-tracks, provided with the upper horizontal part whereby it is secured in position, the vertical depending part which carries the support for the track-end and is bent inwardly at its lower end to bring the track sufliciently to one side to permit the trolleys to pass the vertical part of the hanger, said track-support being extended longitudinally, that is in the direction of the track and toward the switch to form a bracket 15 for the swinging end of the ,forrner to rest on, a flange 16 on said bracket to prevent the switch-end from passing beyond it, and a corresponding bracket and flange on the other side of the hanger, whereby said hanger' becomes adapted to be put up on either'side of the track to clear the depending brackets of the trolleys, no matter on what side of thetrack they travel. 

